Acoustic device

• US 7,194,098 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: New Transducers Limited (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Harris, Neil, Colloms, Martin, Azima, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ni; Suhan
• Application Number:
  US11/072,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20050147274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 381/152, 381190-191, 381/431, 381/182
• US Class Current: 381/152
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/022 combined with permanently fastened sound-producing or light-emitting means or carrying sound records
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/02 using wired connections, e.g. plugboards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/02 Devices for alarm or indication, e.g. when empty; Advertising arrangements in coin-freed apparatus alarms or warning devices indicating the interruption of flow to be metered G07F15/10
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/32 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/642 Disposition of sound reproducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/021 incorporating only one transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/025 Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/24 Structural combinations of separate transducers or of two parts of the same transducer and responsive respectively to two or more frequency ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/26 Spatial arrangements of separate transducers responsive to two or more frequency ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2811 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2834 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 17/00 Piezoelectric transducers; Electrostrictive transducers piezoelectric or electrostrictive elements in general H10N30/00; details of piezoelectric or electrostrictive motors, generators or positioners H10N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/021 Transducers or their casings adapted for mounting in or to a wall or ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/024 : Positioning of loudspeaker enclosures for spatial sound reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2307/029 : Diaphragms comprising fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2307/201 : Damping aspects of the outer suspension of loudspeaker diaphragms by addition of additional damping means
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2400/07 : Suspension between moving magnetic core and housing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2440/03 : Resonant bending wave transducer used as a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2440/05 : Aspects relating to the positioning and way or means of mounting of exciters to resonant bending wave panels
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2440/07 : Loudspeakers using bending wave resonance and pistonic motion to generate sound
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 : Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 : Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 : Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 : for correcting frequency response
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/14 : Cross-over networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 31/003 : for diaphragms or their outer suspension
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 : Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/027 : Spatial or constructional arrangements of microphones, e.g. in dummy heads
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/045 : using the distributed mode principle, i.e. whereby the acoustic radiation is emanated from uniformly distributed free bending wave vibration induced in a stiff panel and not from pistonic motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/06 : comprising a plurality of sections or layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/08 : comprising superposed layers separated by air or other fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/10 : comprising superposed layers in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/12 : Non-planar diaphragms or cones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/20 : Securing diaphragm or cone resiliently to support by flexible material, springs, cords, or strands
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/025 : Magnetic circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/045 : Mounting H04R9/043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/066 : using the principle of inertia
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer

Abstract

Acoustic device including a member extending transversely of its thickness and capable of sustaining bending waves at least over an intendedly consequentially acoustically active area of the transverse extent of said member, the member having, by reason of orderly design methodology disclosed and claimed, a distribution of resonant modes of its natural bending wave vibration at least over said area that is dependent on values of particular parameters of said members, including geometrical configuration and directional bending stiffness(es), which values have been selected to predetermine said distribution of natural resonant modes being consonant with required achievable acoustic action of said member for operation of said device over a desired operative acoustic frequency range.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker comprising a panel-form member capable of sustaining bending waves and having locations for at least one transducer to couple to plural low frequency modes, and at least one transducer mounted to the member at one of the locations to vibrate the member to cause the member to resonate to form an acoustic radiator which provides an acoustic output when resonating.

2. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the transducer is coupled to the member at an asymmetric off-centre position away from corners of the member.

3. A loudspeaker according to claim 2, wherein the member is substantially rectangular, and the transducer is located at a position corresponding to about 3/7, 4/9 or 5/13 of the lengths of sides of the member used as coordinates from a corner of the member.

4. A loudspeaker according to claim 3, wherein the member comprises a stiff lightweight panel having a cellular core sandwiched by opposed skin layers.

5. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member is supported in a surround.

6. A loudspeaker according to claim 5, wherein the surround forms a baffle.

7. A loudspeaker according to claim 6, wherein the baffle forms an enclosure.

8. A loudspeaker according to claim 7, comprising a resilient suspension interposed between the surround and the member.

9. A loudspeaker according to claim 8, wherein the member is integral with the surround.

10. A loudspeaker according to claim 9, comprising a groove surrounding the member and which defines the suspension.

11. A loudspeaker according to claim 8, wherein the suspension is such that the member is mounted for pistonic movement, wherein the transducer is coupled between the member and the surround, and wherein the transducer is adapted to move the member pistonically.

12. A loudspeaker according to claim 8, wherein the suspension is such that the member is mounted for pistonic movement, and wherein the surround is in the form of an enclosure, and comprising means for cyclically varying air pressure in the enclosure to cause the member to move pistonically.

13. A loudspeaker according to claim 5, comprising a resilient suspension interposed between the surround and the member.

14. A loudspeaker according to claim 13, wherein the member is integral with the surround.

15. A loudspeaker according to claim 14, comprising a groove surrounding the member and which defines the suspension.

16. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the transducer is inertial.

17. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, comprising a second panel-form member capable of sustaining bending waves, and a transducer mounted to the second member to form an acoustic radiator which provides an acoustic output, the second member being mounted in an aperture in the first said member.

18. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, comprising first and second transducers mounted to the member at two of the locations.

19. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, comprising a transducer mounted to the member at one of the locations to produce an output signal in response to resonance of the member due to incident acoustic energy.

20. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms a suspended ceiling tile.

21. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of a housing for a visual display unit.

22. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of a display screen of a computer.

23. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of a portable disc and the like media player.

24. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of the trim in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

25. A loudspeaker according to claim 24, wherein the member forms part of a passenger seat.

26. A loudspeaker according to claim 24, wherein the member forms part of a door lining.

27. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of an electronic musical instrument.

28. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member acts as or forms part of a notice board or the like visual display apparatus on which notices or the like can be displayed.

29. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of a greetings or the like card.

30. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of a display screen having a light reflective or light emitting surface.

31. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of a vending machine.

32. A loudspeaker according to claim 1, wherein the member forms part of packaging.